Automatic measuring metal conveyer



C. E. HOPKINS.

AUTOMATIC MEASURING METAL CONVEYER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1917. RENEWED WAR. II, 1921.

2 SHEETS*SHEET I.

WZMW C. E. HOPKINS. AUTOMATIC MEASURING METAL CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-8,1917. RENEWED NAR. 11,1921. 1A3 gmo Patented Oct 24, 1922..

, 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

in. ,2; Era 22 CHARLES E. HOPKINS, 01F JPLAINFIELJD, NEW JERSEY.

.AU'JLOMATJLC MEA$URING METAL CONVEYER.

Application filed February 6, 1917, Serial T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l[, CHARLES E. HorKINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at lP'lainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Automatic Measuring Metal Conveyer, of which the following is a specification.

' This invention relates to a metal conveyer and constitutes an improvement over that shown in my prior application Serial No. 740,615, filed January 7, 1913.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a conveyer of this general type connected, and in combination with, the mold member so as to be independent of the melting pot; to provide positive means for aligning the discharge nozzle with the open mouth of the chamber of the mold; to so arrange the parts that the weight of the conveyer and metal therein will assist in the final discharge of the metal; to provlde a double pivoted mechanism for conveying and thereafter discharging the metal to the casting chamber; to provide an automatically operating float for closing the intake; and to provide adjustable means whereby the metal in the conveyer can be measured or in other words to arrange the part-s so that the conveyer can be caused to deliver the necessary amount for any desired size of casting. Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had'to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan of a curved stereotype plate mold with a preferred embodiment of this invention applied thereto and showing the pouring portion of the nozzle in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same showing the conveyer down in a melting pot, said conveyer and melting pot being shown in central cross section;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the nozzle of the conveyer and parts in the rear;

Fig. 4. is a central sectional view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in a position in which the conveyer has just risen above the level of the metal inthe pot and the float has just stopped the discharge of the metal back into the pot;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the parts No. 147,435. Renewed Marchll, 1921.

turned by the handle 19 Serial No. 451,479.

in a position in which to commence;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the conveyer in its discharging position, and

1g. is an enlarged side view of certain connections.

In my above mentioned application ll have shown a conveyer having some characteristics of the one shown herein, but it is entirely independent of the mold in that case. According to this invention the metal conveyer is pivotally connectedto the of a stereotype plate mold.

In the form shown the conveyer comprises a receiving chamber or receptacle 10 having a concave spout or conveying chamber 11 and a right angular extension 12. The discharge end of this extension 12 is provided with a plate 13 having a slotted opening 14. constituting a discharge nozzle and shown herein as having a slight curve. This conveyer is shown as carried by a cross shaft 15 which is pivotally connected with the conveyer at the knee by which the parts 11 and 12 are connected. This shaft operates in the free ends of two rock arms 16 which are fast on a rock shaftl? pivoted in brackets 18 fast to the sides of the mold 1B. These arms constitute a movable support for the conveyer. On one end of the rock shaft 17 is an arm or handle 19 by which the mechanism is operated.

For the purpose of controlling the operation of the conveyer when the shaft 17 is a pair of pins 20 are provided fast in extensions 20 that project out from opposite sides of the two pins of course being in alignment. Normally, that is in all the positions shown in the drawings except Figs. 7 and 8, these pins seat back in semi-circular recesses 21 formed on the edges of the two rock arms 16. The brackets 18 are provided with vertical stops 22 against which these pins are adapted to come in certain positions of the parts as will appear.

For a purpose to be described ll provide a locking device comprising latch pawls 23 mounted on the pivot pins 20. Each latch pawl is provided with an elongated slot 24 having an angular recess 25 at its end nearest the pivot 20. A latch pin 26 is located in fixed position on each of the rock arms 16 and extends into the slot 2425. The

pouring is just about cast-ing back B nozzle, these latch-is also provided with a trip in 27 located above the pivot 20 and adapte to en'- gage, in certain positions, against the fixed sto 22.

he receptacle 10 is provided with a valve opening 30 in which is located a valve lunger 31 adjustably attached to a vertically disposed rod 32 by means of a set screw 34, located in an extending guide sleeve 35 formed on the plunger and extending through the opening 30. In this way the valve plunger can be set'at any deslred point on the rod 32 and the head of the set screw limits the upward movement of the valve plunger by coming into contact with the outer wall of the receptacle. Also mounted on this rod 32 is a float 33 which has an angular passage downwardly from the pivot 36 by which it is connected with the rod topermit it to swing out so as to keep in a horizontal position.

The operation is as follows :-Assur n ng the parts to be lowered into the posltion shown in Fi 2, the float 33 causes the rod 32 to rise as far as possible, that is, until the screw 34 engages the bottom of the receptacle 10. The metal therefore enters up to the level shown. At this time the pin 20 rests against the seat 21 and the pin 26 is located in the extension 25 of the slot 24. This prevents the receptacle 10 from floating upwardly or moving in any directionabout the pivot shaft 15. The conveyer being filled, the handle 19 is started over to the right and as it comes up into the position shown in Fig. 5 the level of the metal in the conveyer will rise above that in the pot and some metal will be discharged back into the pot. This is stopped in the position shown in Fig. 5 by the float 33 descending far enough to close the valve as shows in that figure. The pin 26 is still in the slot 25. It will be observed that at this point the. bearing of the wall of the recess 21 against the pin 20 holds the conveyer in the position shown. As the handle is moved over furtherthe parts come into the position shown in Fig. 6 where the pins 20 and 27 are shown as com.- ing against the stationary stop ,22. Up to this time these pins 20 have prevented any pivotal action on the cross shaft 15 as the conveyer was being swung up out of the pot, but now they themselves become the pivot of the conveyer and cause the receptacle 10 tobe elevated as the handle 19 is brought further down into the final pouring position shown in Figs. 7 and 8. By this time the nozzle is lowered toward the melting pot and brought into parallel alignment above it. The operation of the in 26 is simply to prevent the swinging of the conveyer about the shaft 15 during the lowering of the conveyer into the pot when it would naturally have a tendency to float, being empty. The pin 26 is disengaged from the slot end 25 by the trip pin 27 coming into contact with the stationary stop 22 and swin ing the latch 23 so as to release the pin 26 rom this part of the slot and bring it into the long portion of the slot 24. It finally reaches the end of this slot which acts as a final stop for the pivoting action.

It will be understood of course that on lowering the receptacle 10 into the molten metal the outside pressure of the receptacle against the metal forces the plunger up and allows the metal to enter, and that this device constitutes a measuring conveyer for the reason that the adjustment of the valve 31 on the rod 32 controls the amount of metal that is allowed to be retained in the conveyer as it moves out of the pot when the valveis finally closed. I

During the motion from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 7 the leverage is gradually decreased owing to the movement of the metal toward the center of gravity over its pivot. As the molten metal flows very rapidly the sudden stop and change in the pivotal movement of the conveyer causes the metal to shoot forward over it and against the vertical front wall of the extension 12. This greatly assists in the final pivotal movement, but the leverage has become greatly reduced by the forward movement of the conveyer toward the pivot. The particular construction of conveyer is substantially the same as that shown in my above identified application and has the same advantages.

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention and shown it as applied to a conveyer such as shown in my above identified application, yet I am aware of the fact that many modifications can be made therein and that it can be applied to other conveyers without de parting from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what I do claim is 1. In a metal conveyer, a receiving chamber provided with an intake valve, and automatic means for closing said valve to control the amount of metal in the conveyer.

2. In a metal conveyer, the combination of a receiving chamber movable into a body of molten metal, an intake valve for controlling the communication of the interior of the chamber with the body ofmolten metal outside it, and means for holding said valve open when there is a surplus amount of metal in the conveyer.

3. The combination of a bodily movable meta-l conveyer adapted to be introduced into the molten metal, an intake valve therefor, means for moving said conveyer out of the molten metal, and means connected with said intake valve for closing it after the conveyer inseam is raised and after a portion of the metal has escaped back into the supply.

d. in a metal conveyer, the combination of a bodily movable receiving chamber adapted to be submerged in the molten metal, an intake valve therefor, and relatively adjustable means connected with said intake valve for closing it when the chamber has been raised out of the metal and after a portion of the metal has escaped from said chamber, whereby the amount of metal retained in the con.- veyer can'becont'rolled and measured.

5. In a metal conveyer, the combination of a receiving chamber, an intake valve therefor comprising a plunger, a movable rod to which said plunger is adjustably fixed, and'means for operating said rod to close the valve automatically.

til

, the opening at the other,

tit

6. In a metal conveyer, the combination of a receiving chamber, means for introducing molten metal into said chamber, and means for thereafter discharging all but a redetermined quantity of said metal.

In a metal conveyer, the combination of a receiving chamber having an inlet opening, a valve for controlling said opening, and means for automatically closing said valve for controlling the amount of metal retained therein after some of it is discharged through the opening.

8. in a metal conveyer, the combination of a receiving chamber, a valve therefor, and means for closing said valve after discharging all but a predetermined quantity of metal.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination'of a metal receiving chamher adapted to be moved into and immersed in a body of molten metal for filling purposes, said chamber having an inlet opening in the bottom, a rod extending through said opening and guided by the wall of the chamber at one end and by a valve on said rod for closing the opening, and a float in said chamber pivotally connected with said rod and adapted to swing to different positions thereon, said float being adapted to hold up the rod and the valve open when there is a surplus of metal in. the receiving chamber.

10. In a device of the characterdescribed, the combination ofa movable metal receiving chamber having an inlet opening in the bottom, a valve for controlling said opening, a float within the chamber connected with the valve, and means whereby the distance between the float and valve can be adjusted, whereby as the chamber is drawn out of a supply of metal the surplus metal will be discharged through said opening until the float descends to a position to close the valve.

11. The combination with 'a metal conveyer having an intake and a discharge opening, of means for controlling the intake opening to discharge all but a predetermined quantity of metal, and means for swinging the conveyer to move the metal therealong to the discharge opening.

12. The combination of a pivoted rock arm, a metal conveyer pivoted thereto, and means for lockin the conveyer and arm against relative pivotal motion.

13. The combination of a pivoted rock arm, a metal conveyer pivoted thereto, means for lockin the conveyer and arm against relative pivotal motion, and means for thereafter unlocking them to permit said pivotal motion.

14:. The combination with a pair of rock arms, of a metal conveyer pivoted thereto and having a receiving chamber, means for rocking the arms, and means for thereafter swinging the receiving chamber on a said arms.

15. The combination of a pivot shaft, arms pivoted thereon, a pivot carried by said arms, a metal conveyer connected with the arms, a movable pivot, and means for rotating the pivot shaft to operate the movable pivot and conveyer.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of a movable support, a metal conveyer movably mounted on said support and having a pin thereon at a point at one side and adapted to engage said support, whereby durIng a portion of the movement of said support the pin will remain against said support and the conveyer will move with the support.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pivoted support, a

metal conveyer pivotally mounted on said support, a pin thereon at a point beneath its pivot and at one side thereof, said support having a seat for said pin, whereby during a portion of the movement of said support the pin will remain in said seat and the conveyer will move with the support, and a stop in position to engage said pin as the support moves farther and cause the conveyer to swing independently about its pivot, whereby the conveyer will rise and move into discharging position.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pivoted support, a metal conveyer pivotally mounted on said support and having a pin thereon adapted to engage the edgeof said support whereby during a portion of the movement of said support the pin will remain against said edge and the conveyer will move with the support, a stop in position to engage said pin as the support moves farther and cause the conveyer to swing independentl about its pivot, whereby the conveyer wil rise and move into discharging position, a latch pawl pivotally mounted on said pin, and having a slot with an ofl'set at one end,

lllil lld ll support and having a pin mounted on said su port and entering said slot, said pin an slot being proportioned and arranged to cause the pin to enter the ofiset portion of the slot normally and prevent the swinging of the conveyer about its pivot independently of the suport. p 19. In a device of the character described, the combination of a movable support, a metal conveyer movably mounted on said a pin thereon adapted to engage said support, a stop in position to engage said pin as the support moves and cause the conveyer to move independently about its pivot, a latch pawl mounted on said support,- said latch pawl having a slot with an offset at one end, a second pin mounted on said support and entering said slot, the second pin and slot being proportioned and arran ed to cause the second pin to enter the 0% revent the swinging of the conveyer about its pivot independently of the support, and means whereby when the sup ort moves over to pouring position the oliset portion of the slot will be disengaged from the last named pin.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pivoted support, a metal conveyer pivotally mounted on said support and having a pin thereon at a point beneath its pivot at one side thereof, said support having a seat for said pin. whereby during a portion of the movement of said support the pin will remain in said seat and the conveyer will move with the support, a stop in position to engage said pin as the support moves fartherand cause the conveyer to swing independently about its pivot, whereby the conveyer will rise and set portion of the slot normally and entering said slot, said second pin and slot i being proportioned and arranged to cause the second pm to enter the offset portion of the slot normally, and a third pin on said latch pawl in position to engage said stationary stop and release the latch pawl from the second pin when the first pin engages the sto 21. The combination of a mold, supporting brackets thereon, a metal conveyer pivotally mounted on said supporting brackets. means on said brackets for positioning the discharge nozzle of the conveyer )roperlv with respect to the mold, and ivotai connections operative in said brackets for guiding the conveyer.

22. The combination of a mold. a metal conveyer pivotally connected therewith and having an outlet nozzle, means for positioning the outlet nozzle in alignment with the intake of the mold, and means for thereafter turning the conveyer to discharge position.

23. The combination with a mold of a pivotally mounted metal conveyer thereon, and means separate from the ivot for aligning the discharge outlet of tie conveyer wit'i the intake of the mold.

24. The combination with a mold, of a metal conveyer movably mounted thereon for pouring and on which it may be turned into a position to be immersed in molten metal to be filled.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS.

having pivotal connections 

